Cam operated timer switch including h-shaped drum and adjustable cams

ABSTRACT

A time controlled switching apparatus is herein described having a drum member journaled for rotation about a vertical axis. A base member is provided for supporting the drum and for housing a syncronous motor operatively adapted to rotate the drum at a speed of one revolution per 24 hours. Camming elements, consisting of U-shaped clips, may be attached to axially extending, marginal, upper and lower edges of the drum. A switching member may be mounted on the base adjacent each of the upper and lower edges of the drum to be actuated upon the operative engagement of a camming element therewith. One radially extending surface of the drum may be formed to display indicia representing each of the 24 hours of a day. The marginal edges may be formed with four axially extending detents disposed between each representation of an hour and that of the next position the clips. One leg of each clip may be sized of such a width, with respect to the diameter of the drum, that one clip will actuate one switching member for a 15 minute interval in response to rotation of the drum. Each switching member may be associated with circuitry adapted for connection with a source of electrical power and further adapted with a plug for connection with a domestic lighting circuit, or the like.

United States Patent 91 Andley 1 1 CAM OPERATED TIMER SWITCH INCLUDING H-SHAPED DRUM AND ADJUSTABLE CAMS Arthur C. Andley, Paxson Road, R. D. No. l, Solebury Township, Buck County, Pa. 18963 [22] Filed: Oct. 18, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 190,144

[76] Inventor:

52 US. (:1 ..200/38 CA 51 Int. Cl. ..H0lh 43/10 58 Field of Search ..200/38 CA, 38 BA; 74/568 R, 568 M, 568 T [56] References Cited UNITED STATES'PATENTS 3,217,595 11/1965 Gallina ..200/38 CA X 3,101,418 8/1963 -Gould ....200/38 CAX 6/ 1960 Misenko ..200/38 CA X Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott Attorney-Sperry and Zoda 5 7 ABSTRACT A time controlled switching apparatus is herein [4 1 Apr. 10, 1973 described having a drum member journaled for rotation about a vertical axis. A base member is provided for supporting the drum and for housing a syncronous motor operatively adapted to rotate the drum at a speed of one revolution per 24 hours. Camming elements, consisting of U-shaped clips, may be attached to axially extending, marginal, upper and lower edges of the drum.

A switching member may be mounted on the base adjacent each of the upper and lower edges of the drum to be actuated upon the operative engagement of a camming element therewith One radially extending surface of the drum may be formed to display indicia representing each of the 24 hours of a day. The marginal edges may be formed with four axially extending detents disposed between each representation of an hour and that of the next position the clips.

One leg of each clip may be sized of such a width,

' with respect to the diameter of the drum, that one clip will actuate one switching member for a 15 minute interval in response to rotation of the drum. Each switching member may be associated with circuitry adapted for connection with a source of electrical power and further adapted with a plug for connection with a domestic lighting circuit, or the like.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 01w 3.721016 SHEET 2 OF 2 l N VEN TOR. flan/um flusLEY z Zadk aATTORNEYS CAM OPERATED TIMER SWITCH INCLUDING II- SHAPED DRUM AND ADJUSTABLE CAMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION apartment lights on when one goes out for an evening, 1

in order to make prospective burglars think that someone is at home. This method may be effective but when a homeowner or an apartment dweller is only gone for an evening. However, if the lights are left on continuously for 2 or 3 days, such continuous lighting is, of itself, an indication that the home is probably unoccupied.

Therefore, it is important that the lights be turned on and off at various times during the day to present an atmosphere of normalcy to would-be burglars. Furthermore, if the lights could be turned on and off for rather short increments of time, such activity would be very persuasive in convincing a prospective intruder that someone may be home.

Several devices are presently on the market for interrupting and closing domestic lighting circuits. Generally, these existing devices are expensive, inflexible and do notpermit control to within small increments of time.

It would therefore be advantageous if an improved, time controlled, switching apparatus, particularly adapted for domestic lighting systems, were provided.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved time controlled switching apparatus for domestic lighting systems which solves some of the problems confronting homeowners and apartment dwellers today.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a time controlled switching apparatus which lends itself to ease of manufacture.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a time controlled switching apparatus for domestic lighting systems which would cost a homeowner less than existing circuit controllers.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a time controlled switching apparatus which is flexible in its applicability and may be used with any type of domestic electrical appliance.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a time controlled switching apparatus which may be programmed to operate in response to small increments of time.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a time controlled switching apparatus which will intermittently open and close lighting circuits during an entire 24 hours for each day the apparatus is in operation.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a time controlled switching apparatus which may control more than one circuit at a time.

It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide a time controlled switching apparatus which is easy to program and to operate.

At least some of the above-listed objects are carried out by the provision of a switching apparatus including a rotatable drum member presenting generally axially extending marginal edges about the circumferential periphery thereof. A synchronous motor is provided for rotating the drum. Normally open switches are mounted adjacent the drum and are provided with an actuating arrangement disposed in an operative position with respect to the drum member. Camming elements are removably mounted on the marginal edges of 0 the drum and are operable to engage the actuating arrangement of the switching members to close a switch upon rotation of the drum into a position where a camming element engages the actuating arrangement thereof.

In one feature of the invention, the camming elements consist of generally U-shaped clips having one leg which is of such a width, with respect to the diameter of the drum, that the actuating arrangement of a switching member engages that camming U-shaped clip for a pre-timed interval. A radially extending surface of the drum may be formed to display the 24 hours of the day and 4 detents may be disposed between each hour number and the next for receiving one camming clip member each.

In another feature of the invention, the rotatable drum may be formed to present at least two axially extending marginal edges and may be mounted on a base member for rotation about a vertical axis. One switching member may be disposed along an upper marginal edge of the drum and a second switching member may be disposed adjacent a lower marginal edge so that camming clips disposed over both marginal edges maybe operable to actuate two separate lighting circuits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in a concluding portion of the specification, a preferred embodiment is set forth in the following detailed description which may be best understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention:

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a marginal edge portion of a drum included in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of a rotary drum included in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the electrical circuitry included in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views thereof, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

A base member 10 is provided with two upwardly extending pedistals l2 and 14. A rotatable drum 16 is journaled on the base for rotation with respect thereto.

A syncronous motor 18 is mounted on the base 10 and is operatively connected with the rotatable drum 16. The syncronous motor 18 may be geared to rotate the rotatable drum 16 one twenty-fourth of a revolution per hour, i.e., I revolution per day.

An electrical cord 20 may extend outwardly from the electrical circuitry shown diagramatically in FIG. 6, housed within base 10, and may terminate with a conventional electrical, male plug member 22. Female plugs 24 and 26 may be mounted on the base member 10 by means of plates 28 secured thereto by threaded fastening means 30. The female plugs 24 and 26 are also connected with the internal circuitry of the overall apparatus.

Two switching members 32 and 34 may be operatively positioned on upper horizontal surfaces 36 and 38 of the upwardly extending pedistals 14 and 12,'respectively. The switching members 32 and 34 are connected within the internal circuitry of the overall apparatus and are actuateable by the movement of actuating arms 40 and 42 operatively connected with switches 32 and 34, respectively.

Roller members 44 and 46 may be journaled for rotation at the cantilever end of each actuator arm 40 and 42. Camming clip members 48 may be removably secured about the marginal edges 50 and 52 of the rotatable drum 16 for engagement with the roller members 44 and 46 upon rotation of the drum l6.

- Referring to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the clips 48 disposed about the upper marginal edge 50 are positionedfor engagement with the roller 44 of switch 32 while the camming clip member 48 disposed about the bottom marginal edge 52 of the rotatable drum 16 is aligned for engagement with the roller 46 of switching member 34.

It will further be noted from a view of FIG. 2, that the motor 18 may bemounted on the base 10 by a bracket assembly consisting of an upright member 54 and a horizontal member 56 secured to the motor 18 by threaded fastening means 58. The motor 18 drives the drum 16 through a shaft 59.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the switching apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown in top plan view. As will be noted, an upwardly facing, horizontal surface 60 may be formed to display numerical indicia representing the 24 hours of a day. Each hour is assigned a radial extending to the marginal edges 50 and 52 of the drum 16.

As shown in the enlarged view at FIG. 4, axially extending grooves 62, 64, 66 and 68 are formed between each two immediately adjacent hour radials. The detents 62 through 68 are sized to receive and position the camming clip members 48. The width of one leg of each clip member 48 is sized, with respect to the radius of the drum 16, so that the surface of that clip 48 actuates an engaging switch member 32 or 34 for precisely a minute interval. Accordingly, the particular group of camming clip members 48 shown in FIG. 4 would be operable to engage a lighting circuit connected with the switching members for a 1 hour interval, between ll PM. and 12 midnight. 7

It is apparent from FIG. 3, that the switches 32 and 34 may be angularly displaced about the axis of rotation of the drum 16 by 180. Also it will be noted that the indicia on the upwardly facingsurface 60 of the drum 16 displays a notation that a clip 48 placed on the upper marginal edge 50 is 12 hours, (i.e., 180),out of phase with a camming clip 48 placed over the bottom marginal edge 52, (eg, noon top midnight bottom). This unique arrangement provides a compactness which heretofore has been unattainable.

Referring to FIG. 5, the rotary drum 16 is shown as being generally I-I-shaped in axially cross-sectional view to include a hub 61 connected with an outer rim 64 by means of a horizontally extending web 66.

The rim 64 is formed to present the upper and lower axially extending marginal edges 50 and 52, respectively. The upper horizontal surface of the web 66 comprises the indicia bearing surface 60 shown in FIG. 3. The web portion 66 may be formed to intersect with the rim 64 intermediate the marginal edges 50 and 52 thereof. In this manner, the camming clip members 48 may be disposed over either marginal edge 50 or 52 to accomplish the desired camming action.

It should be stressed, that only the camming surface of each clip member 48 need present the necessary width to engage a switching member for a 15 minute interval. The other leg of the U-shaped clip may be formed of a more narrow width to engage within the detents 62 through 68 arcuately arranged between each set of immediately adjacent hour radials.

ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 6, an electrical circuit for the preferred embodiment is shown in diagrammatic form. The male plug 22 is electrically connected with a cord 20 having the conventional dual conductors which, in turn, are connected with the syncronous motor 18. Therefore, when the apparatus according to present in vention is plugged into a conventional domestic electrical outlet, the syncronous motor 18 rotates the drum 16 at a rate of one revolution per 24 hours.

In addition to the syncronous motor 18, two other branches are connected across to the dual conductors 20. These branches may be substantially identical and may include the switch 32 and the female plug 24 in one branch and the switch '34'and the plug '26 in the second. branch. Conventional lighting circuits and 200, provided with male plugs 102 and 202, respectively, may be electrically connected withinthe plugs 24 and 26 of the preferred embodiment.

It can thus be seen that time controlled switching apparatus, especially adapted for domestic lighting systems, has been herein provided which solves some of the problems confronting homeowners and apartment Due to the unique arrangement of camrning clip members and detents for receiving the clip members in combination with the indicia displayed on the upwardly facing horizontal surface 60 of the apparatus, the device according to present invention may be controlled to within small increments of time for entire 24 hour periods, day after day.

Not only does the apparatus according to the present invention provide unique flexibility, but due to the cooperation between the structure and the indicia displayed on the apparatus, even a child may program the SCOPE OF THE INVENTION While what has been shown herein is the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is of course understood that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention. For example, a plurality of concentric rims 64 may be supported on the web 66, of the drum 16 to present more than two axially extending edges for mounting camrning clips 48. Of course, such an increase in available drum edges would permit the use of more than two switches to control a corresponding number of circuits.

It is therefore intended to cover in the following claims all such modifications and changes as may fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What I claim is:

1. A time controlled switching apparatus for electrical circuits comprising a drum member which is generally I-I-shaped in cross-section presenting two oppositely facing, axially extending marginal edges, a synchronous motor for rotating said drum, normally open switching means mounted adjacent said drum member and provided with actuating means, camrning means removably mounted on at least one of said opposite edges of said drum member, said camrning means being located in position to close said switching means upon rotation of said drum member to move said camrning means into engagement with said actuating means, and an electrical circuit including said switching means and adapted to be energized at a predetermined time upon closing of said normally open switching means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said camrning means comprises a U-shaped clip having at least one leg thereof of such a width size with respect to the diameter of said drum that said actuating means of said switching means is engaged for a 15 minute interval by each clip during the rotation of said drum member.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said normally opened switching means comprises two switches and said drum in rotated about a vertical axis:

a. said drum being formed to present two generally axially extending oppositely facing marginal edges;

b. said switching means and said drum being mounted on a base member supporting each said switch angularly displaced from the other said switch and with one switch disposed vertically above the other.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a pivotable arm mounted on said switching means at one end and provided with a rotatable roller at a free end thereof;

said roller being disposed for rolling engagement with an outer cylindrical surface of said drum member with said actuating means associated with one switch being disposed adjacent one marginal edge of said drum and said actuating means associated with the second switch being disposed adjacent said second marginal edge of said drum member.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drum member is formed to display indicium representing a 24 hour day and is further formed to present four axially extending detents disposed between any two contiguous indicium each representing one of the hours of a 24 hour day.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said camrning means comprises at least one U-shaped clip having one leg thereof of a width sized with respect to the diameter of said drum that said switching means is actuated for a 15 minute interval while said clip engages said actuating means during rotation of said drum member.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said two switches are disposed angularly apart. 

1. A time controlled switching apparatus for electrical circuits comprising a drum member which is generally H-shaped in crosssection presenting two oppositely facing, axially extending marginal edges, a synchronous motor for rotating said drum, normally open switching means mounted adjacent said drum member and provided with actuating means, camming means removably mounted on at least one of said opposite edges of said drum member, said camming means being located in position to close said switching means upon rotation of said drum member to move said camming means into engagement with said actuating means, and an electrical circuit including said switching means and adapted to be energized at a predetermined time upon closing of said normally open switching means.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said camming means comprises a U-shaped clip having at least one leg thereof of such a width size with respect to the diameter of said drum that said actuating means of said switching means is engaged for a 15 minute interval by each clip during the rotation of said drum member.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said normally opened switching means comprises two switches and said drum in rotated about a vertical axis: a. said drum being formed to present two generally axially extending oppositely facing marginal edges; b. said switching means and said drum being mounted on a base member supporting each said switch angularly displaced from the other said switch and with one switch disposed vertically above the other.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a pivotable arm mounted on said switching means at one end and provided with a rotatable roller at a free end thereof; said roller being disposed for rolling engagement with an outer cylindrical surface of said drum member with said actuating means associated with one switch being disposed adjacent one marginal edge of said drum and said actuating means associated with the second switch being disposed adjacent said second marginal edge of said drum member.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drum member is formed to display indicium representing a 24 hour day and is further formed to present four axially extending detents disposed between any two contiguous indicium each representing one of the hours of a 24 hour day.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said camming means comprises at least one U-shaped clip having one leg thereof of a width sized with respect to the diameter of said drum that said switching means is actuated for a 15 minute interval while said clip engages said actuating means during rotation of said drum member.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said two switches are disposed 180* angularly apart. 